Disclaimer

  • References: Nigeria Centre for Disease control (NCDC), see here:

Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention

Nigeria Center for Disease Control and Prevention
  • More information: for a dynamic report of the 🇳🇬 Lassa fever situation in Nigeria , go to 🔗

Lassa fever in Nigeria - data from 2020 to 2024

The overall burden of Lassa fever in Nigeria

  • Nigeria has the highest burden of Lassa fever cases in West Africa.
  • Strengthening of capacity for lab diagnostics and case management in previous years resulted in greater case detection.
  • Major LF outbreaks reported in since 2018, with 5344 confirmed cases since 2020.

The effect of seasonality on the Lassa fever incidence

  • Lassa fever cases in Nigeria by week show a seasonal effect: the number of cases peaks during the dry season period (from epi week 47 - week 12).
  • The seasonal increase of cases during the dry period may be attributed to an increase of the infected rodent population and/or a seasonal behavioural change in the human population resulting in a higher risk of exposure to infected animals and/or to food/household items contaminated with rodent excreta.

  • Lassa fever cases in Nigeria by week show a seasonal effect: the number of cases peaks during the dry season period (from epi week 47 - week 12).
  • The seasonal increase of cases during the dry period may be attributed to an increase of the infected rodent population and/or a seasonal behavioural change in the human population resulting in a higher risk of exposure to infected animals and/or to food/household items contaminated with rodent excreta.

Lassa fever in Nigeria: where do efforts need to focus?

From January 2018 to December 2024, 75% of Lassa fever confirmed cases were from Ondo (33%), Edo (31%) and Bauchi (11%).

  • Total suspected cases: 42,168
  • Total confirmed cases: 6,134
  • Deaths from Confirmed Cases: 1,124
  • Case Fatality Ratio: 21%
  • Number of Health Care Workers: 235

Lassa fever suspected cases, confirmed cases and CFR by State, Nigeria 2020-2024

Lassa fever by State, Nigeria 2020-2024: Interactive maps

Suspected cases of Lassa fever

  • From 2017-2024, a total of 36,022 suspected cases were reported from 26 in Zamfara to 13,950 in Edo.

Case fatality rate (CFR) among confirmed Lassa fever cases

  • From 2017-2024, CFR among all lab confirmed cases in Nigeria was between 16-27% and decreased over time.
  • In 2024, overall CFR for Nigeria was 16% and differed greatly by individual State.
  • The variation in CFR is likely due to late patient presentation and differences in case management, highlighting the need for improvement.

Lassa fever infections among healthcare workers

  • From 2020-2024, a total of 212 healthcare workers (HCW) were reported among confirmed cases, that is 4% of Lassa fever cases.
  • From 2020-2024, 60% of all HCW infections were from Ondo (26%), Bauchi (20%), Edo (15%) States where 75% of all Lassa fever patients were being cared for. 12% of HCW infections are reported from Ebonyi where 6% of Lassa fever patients were being cared for.
  • Higher proportion of HCW in States with low incidence (10-30%).

Lassa fever in 2025 - Data from epi-week 1 to epi-week 26

Suspected cases of Lassa fever in 2025

  • In 2025, a total of 6,146 suspected cases were reported from 1 in Kebbi, Sokoto, Zamfara to 1,989 in Ondo.

Cumulative number of confirmed Lassa fever cases in 2025

  • Nigeria has the highest burden of Lassa fever cases in West Africa.
  • Strengthening of capacity for lab diagnostics and case management in previous years resulted in greater case detection.
  • Major LF outbreaks reported in since 2018, with 5344 confirmed cases since 2020.

Seasonality of Lassa fever

  • In 2025, similar trend as per previous years confirming a seasonal effect on Lassa fever incidence.
  • Compared to 2024, 12% decrease in the cumulative number of suspected cases reported.

  • In 2025, similar trend as per previous years confirming a seasonal effect on Lassa fever incidence.
  • Compared to 2024, 15% decrease in the cumulative number of confirmed cases reported.

States reporting Lassa fever confirmed cases in 2025

  • In 2025, as of epi week 26, 87% of LF cases are from Ondo (31%), Bauchi (24%), Edo (17%), and Taraba (15%) States.

  • Total confirmed cases: 790

  • Deaths from Confirmed Cases: 148

  • Case Fatality Ratio: 19%

  • Number of Health Care Workers: 23

Lassa fever suspected cases, confirmed cases and CFR by State in 2025

Lassa fever by State, Nigeria 2025: Interactive maps

Case fatality ratio among confirmed Lassa fever cases by State in 2025

  • As of epi week 26 2025, cumulatively 790 cases and 148 deaths (CFR=19%) across 20 States have been reported.
  • At same period 2024, a total of 28 States reported at least one confirmed cases.
  • There is a 12% decrease in the number of suspected cases reported in 2025 compared to 2024.
  • There is a 15% decrease in the number of confirmed cases reported in 2025 compared to 2024.
  • In 2024,
    • 37 States had reported at least one suspected case versus 37 States in 2025 to date.
    • 28 States had reported at least one confirmed case versus 20 States in 2025 to date.

Health care worker infections 2020-2025 epiweek 26


  • Top 5 states:
    • 8 HCW infections in Ondo
    • 4 HCW infections in Bauchi
    • 3 HCW infections in Edo
    • 3 HCW infections in Taraba
    • 2 HCW infections in Gombe.

  • As of epi week 26 of 2025, there has been 23 healthcare workers infected, that is 3% of confirmed cases.

Lassa fever in most affected States - Data from 2020 to 2025 (as of epi-week 26)

Lassa fever in Ondo State, 2020-2025

  • Below is an overview of Lassa fever suspected cases, confirmed cases, deaths and average CFR in Ondo as of week 26:
Years Suspected cases Confirmed cases Deaths CFR
2025 1989 248 29 12%
2024 1591 239 16 7%
2023 1728 326 37 11%
2022 970 243 44 18%
2021 431 97 29 30%
2020 760 346 61 18%

Source: NCDC

  • See other tabs for yearly data




  • In 2025 only, Ondo State reported 248 confirmed cases including 29 deaths (CFR 12%).
  • Compared to same period 2024, this represents:
    • 25% increase in the number of suspected cases.
    • 4% increase in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 75% increase in CFR.




  • In 2024 as of week 26:
    • 1591 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 239 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 16 in the number of deaths.
    • 7% average CFR.




  • In 2023 as of week 26:
    • 1728 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 326 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 37 in the number of deaths.
    • 11% average CFR.




  • In 2022 as of week 26:
    • 970 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 243 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 44 in the number of deaths.
    • 18% average CFR.




  • In 2021 as of week 26:
    • 431 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 97 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 29 in the number of deaths.
    • 30% average CFR.




  • In 2020 as of week 26:
    • 760 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 346 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 61 in the number of deaths.
    • 18% average CFR.

Lassa fever in Bauchi State, 2020-2025

  • Below is an overview of Lassa fever suspected cases, confirmed cases, deaths and average CFR in Bauchi as of week 26:
Years Suspected cases Confirmed cases Deaths CFR
2025 860 187 16 9%
2024 816 163 29 18%
2023 729 111 21 19%
2022 686 117 12 10%
2021 61 10 2 20%
2020 282 44 20 45%

Source: NCDC

  • See other tabs for yearly data




  • In 2025 only, Bauchi State reported 187 confirmed cases including 16 deaths (CFR 9%).
  • Compared to same period 2024, this represents:
    • 5% increase in the number of suspected cases.
    • 15% increase in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 52% decrease in CFR.




  • In 2024 as of week 26:
    • 816 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 163 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 29 in the number of deaths.
    • 18% average CFR.




  • In 2023 as of week 26:
    • 729 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 111 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 21 in the number of deaths.
    • 19% average CFR.




  • In 2022 as of week 26:
    • 686 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 117 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 12 in the number of deaths.
    • 10% average CFR.




  • In 2021 as of week 26:
    • 61 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 10 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 2 in the number of deaths.
    • 20% average CFR.




  • In 2020 as of week 26:
    • 282 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 44 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 20 in the number of deaths.
    • 45% average CFR.

Lassa fever in Edo State, 2020-2025

  • Below is an overview of Lassa fever suspected cases, confirmed cases, deaths and average CFR in Edo as of week 26:
Years Suspected cases Confirmed cases Deaths CFR
2025 1940 134 24 18%
2024 1911 204 26 13%
2023 2367 284 36 13%
2022 1840 208 28 13%
2021 1208 144 14 10%
2020 1477 335 39 12%

Source: NCDC

  • See other tabs for yearly data




  • In 2025 only, Edo State reported 134 confirmed cases including 24 deaths (CFR 18%).
  • Compared to same period 2024, this represents:
    • 2% increase in the number of suspected cases.
    • 34% decrease in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 41% increase in CFR.




  • In 2024 as of week 26:
    • 1911 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 204 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 26 in the number of deaths.
    • 13% average CFR.




  • In 2023 as of week 26:
    • 2367 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 284 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 36 in the number of deaths.
    • 13% average CFR.




  • In 2022 as of week 26:
    • 1840 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 208 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 28 in the number of deaths.
    • 13% average CFR.




  • In 2021 as of week 26:
    • 1208 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 144 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 14 in the number of deaths.
    • 10% average CFR.




  • In 2020 as of week 26:
    • 1477 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 335 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 39 in the number of deaths.
    • 12% average CFR.

Lassa fever in Taraba State, 2020-2025

  • Below is an overview of Lassa fever suspected cases, confirmed cases, deaths and average CFR in Taraba as of week 26:
Years Suspected cases Confirmed cases Deaths CFR
2025 322 117 35 30%
2024 231 99 21 21%
2023 276 93 29 31%
2022 84 34 15 44%
2021 56 18 11 61%
2020 115 57 22 39%

Source: NCDC

  • See other tabs for yearly data




  • In 2025 only, Taraba State reported 117 confirmed cases including 35 deaths (CFR 30%).
  • Compared to same period 2024, this represents:
    • 39% increase in the number of suspected cases.
    • 18% increase in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 41% increase in CFR.




  • In 2024 as of week 26:
    • 231 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 99 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 21 in the number of deaths.
    • 21% average CFR.




  • In 2023 as of week 26:
    • 276 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 93 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 29 in the number of deaths.
    • 31% average CFR.




  • In 2022 as of week 26:
    • 84 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 34 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 15 in the number of deaths.
    • 44% average CFR.




  • In 2021 as of week 26:
    • 56 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 18 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 11 in the number of deaths.
    • 61% average CFR.




  • In 2020 as of week 26:
    • 115 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 57 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 22 in the number of deaths.
    • 39% average CFR.

Lassa fever in Ebonyi State, 2020-2025

  • Below is an overview of Lassa fever suspected cases, confirmed cases, deaths and average CFR in Ebonyi as of week 26:
Years Suspected cases Confirmed cases Deaths CFR
2025 250 22 12 55%
2024 286 43 24 56%
2023 226 50 27 54%
2022 223 40 19 48%
2021 89 17 8 47%
2020 238 76 22 29%

Source: NCDC

  • See other tabs for yearly data




  • In 2025 only, Ebonyi State reported 22 confirmed cases including 12 deaths (CFR 55%).
  • Compared to same period 2024, this represents:
    • 13% decrease in the number of suspected cases.
    • 49% decrease in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 2% decrease in CFR.




  • In 2024 as of week 26:
    • 286 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 43 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 24 in the number of deaths.
    • 56% average CFR.




  • In 2023 as of week 26:
    • 226 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 50 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 27 in the number of deaths.
    • 54% average CFR.




  • In 2022 as of week 26:
    • 223 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 40 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 19 in the number of deaths.
    • 48% average CFR.




  • In 2021 as of week 26:
    • 89 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 17 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 8 in the number of deaths.
    • 47% average CFR.




  • In 2020 as of week 26:
    • 238 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 76 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 22 in the number of deaths.
    • 29% average CFR.

Lassa fever in Kogi State, 2020-2025

  • Below is an overview of Lassa fever suspected cases, confirmed cases, deaths and average CFR in Kogi as of week 26:
Years Suspected cases Confirmed cases Deaths CFR
2025 73 15 4 27%
2024 125 31 3 10%
2023 39 11 1 9%
2022 121 46 7 15%
2021 7 2 0 0%
2020 94 38 8 21%

Source: NCDC

  • See other tabs for yearly data




  • In 2025 only, Kogi State reported 15 confirmed cases including 4 deaths (CFR 27%).
  • Compared to same period 2024, this represents:
    • 42% decrease in the number of suspected cases.
    • 52% decrease in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 176% increase in CFR.




  • In 2024 as of week 26:
    • 125 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 31 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 3 in the number of deaths.
    • 10% average CFR.




  • In 2023 as of week 26:
    • 39 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 11 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 1 in the number of deaths.
    • 9% average CFR.




  • In 2022 as of week 26:
    • 121 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 46 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 7 in the number of deaths.
    • 15% average CFR.




  • In 2021 as of week 26:
    • 7 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 2 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 0 in the number of deaths.
    • 0% average CFR.




  • In 2020 as of week 26:
    • 94 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 38 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 8 in the number of deaths.
    • 21% average CFR.

Lassa fever in Gombe State, 2020-2025

  • Below is an overview of Lassa fever suspected cases, confirmed cases, deaths and average CFR in Gombe as of week 26:
Years Suspected cases Confirmed cases Deaths CFR
2025 87 14 7 50%
2024 30 4 2 50%
2023 42 8 2 25%
2022 191 24 8 33%
2021 6 0 0
2020 35 9 2 22%

Source: NCDC

  • See other tabs for yearly data




  • In 2025 only, Gombe State reported 14 confirmed cases including 7 deaths (CFR 50%).
  • Compared to same period 2024, this represents:
    • 190% increase in the number of suspected cases.
    • 250% increase in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 0% decrease in CFR.




  • In 2024 as of week 26:
    • 30 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 4 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 2 in the number of deaths.
    • 50% average CFR.




  • In 2023 as of week 26:
    • 42 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 8 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 2 in the number of deaths.
    • 25% average CFR.




  • In 2022 as of week 26:
    • 191 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 24 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 8 in the number of deaths.
    • 33% average CFR.




  • In 2021 as of week 26:
    • 6 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 0 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 0 in the number of deaths.
    • NA average CFR.




  • In 2020 as of week 26:
    • 35 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 9 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 2 in the number of deaths.
    • 22% average CFR.

Lassa fever in Benue State, 2020-2025

  • Below is an overview of Lassa fever suspected cases, confirmed cases, deaths and average CFR in Benue as of week 26:
Years Suspected cases Confirmed cases Deaths CFR
2025 74 11 5 45%
2024 1056 63 11 17%
2023 153 36 3 8%
2022 199 35 8 23%
2021 21 6 0 0%
2020 39 9 4 44%

Source: NCDC

  • See other tabs for yearly data




  • In 2025 only, Benue State reported 11 confirmed cases including 5 deaths (CFR 45%).
  • Compared to same period 2024, this represents:
    • 93% decrease in the number of suspected cases.
    • 83% decrease in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 160% increase in CFR.




  • In 2024 as of week 26:
    • 1056 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 63 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 11 in the number of deaths.
    • 17% average CFR.




  • In 2023 as of week 26:
    • 153 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 36 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 3 in the number of deaths.
    • 8% average CFR.




  • In 2022 as of week 26:
    • 199 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 35 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 8 in the number of deaths.
    • 23% average CFR.




  • In 2021 as of week 26:
    • 21 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 6 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 0 in the number of deaths.
    • 0% average CFR.




  • In 2020 as of week 26:
    • 39 in the number of suspected cases.
    • 9 in the number of confirmed cases.
    • 4 in the number of deaths.
    • 44% average CFR.

Thank you

Any questions or suggestions? Contact us: Anaïs Legand and Antoine Chaillon